In the constantly evolving world of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, a fresh perspective is gaining traction: cryptographic trust for AI setups. Mirror Security, a spin-out from University College Dublin, has gained attention both for its groundbreaking approach and for securing €2.1 million in funding. Collaborating directly with Intel, Mirror Security is building solutions to address one of the most pressing concerns in AI today, data confidentiality during training and inference.
Mirror Security’s rise is particularly interesting for anyone operating in the tech and startup ecosystem. Unlike many ventures solely focusing on advancing AI capabilities, Mirror tackles a challenge that often deters companies from fully implementing AI: securing sensitive and proprietary data. Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), which enables processing encrypted data without ever decrypting it, lies at the core of their solution. This principle allows organizations to adopt powerful AI technologies without risking sensitive information.
The Funding Details and Its Impact
The €2.1 million pre-seed funding round for Mirror Security was led by Sure Valley Ventures and Atlantic Bridge. Additional backing came from angel investors, showcasing the high level of confidence in the team behind the startup and the technology they are developing. But funding is just part of the equation. With this cash injection, the company plans to ramp up engineering efforts not just in Ireland but also in strategic hubs like the U.S. and India. Additionally, the funds will help accelerate the timeline for developing key features such as encrypted AI inferencing and secure fine-tuning.
A major part of this funding will also support the company as they expand into U.S. markets, where demand for compliant and secure AI systems is growing rapidly due to both regulatory pressure and corporate demand. Large companies, especially in finance, healthcare, and government sectors, are among the most concerned about the security of their data when using AI, and Mirror aims to cater to them.
Why Partner with Intel?
Intel brings more to the table than just a name. For a startup like Mirror Security, collaboration with a major player like Intel can mean access to advanced hardware solutions optimized for AI encryption workloads, as well as entry into Intel’s extensive network of partners and potential customers. This partnership signals Mirror’s ambition to scale its solutions globally, while ensuring that they remain compatible with high-performance systems.
Mirror’s Technology: Targeting High-stakes Challenges
What sets Mirror Security apart in the saturated AI ecosystem is their focus on Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), implemented through their proprietary solution called VectaX. FHE isn’t a novel idea, it’s been discussed academically for decades. However, until recently, it was largely impractical due to its computational intensity. Mirror Security’s achievement lies in successfully optimizing this technology to work with AI processes.
This means organizations using Mirror’s solutions can train AI models and run analytics while the data remains encrypted. Sensitive data such as customer records, financial transactions, or even personal biometric information never gets decrypted, even during processing. This eliminates concerns about breaches or exposing data to third-party platforms or cloud providers.
One particularly interesting feature is “DiscoveR,” an automated AI security assessment tool that acts almost like a continuous stress test for AI systems. Combined with VectaX, it allows businesses to confidently integrate AI into sensitive workflows without increasing their vulnerability.
Key Takeaway Stats
- More than €60 million has already been invested in cryptographic AI security across Europe in 2025, a clear indicator of the demand for privacy-first AI technologies.
- Mirror Security’s competitors include other FHE-focused startups like Zama in France, which received €49 million earlier this year to focus on data encryption for blockchain systems.
- In 2025, 85% of AI-adopting companies listed data security as their primary concern, according to industry reports.
The Most Common Mistakes Startups Make When Addressing AI Security
In the startup world, it’s easy to get swept up in the AI hype without fully addressing the risks. Here’s what I’ve observed as consistent pitfalls in this domain:
- Superficial Security Features: Many startups advertise “secure AI” but rely on traditional encryption methods that don’t account for how data flows through AI models.
- Overpromising Results: Given how challenging it is to implement FHE, claims of instant, scalable solutions can lead to broken trust with customers.
- Ignoring Compliance: Security isn’t effective if it doesn’t meet regional legal requirements like GDPR in Europe or HIPAA in the U.S.
- Lack of Transparency: Customers increasingly demand clear, verifiable evidence of how AI systems secure their data. Failing to establish this can mean losing trust altogether.
- Neglecting Hardware Compatibility: Advances in encryption often demand high computational power. Startups must ensure solutions work seamlessly with industry-standard AI accelerators.
How Founders Can Stay Ahead in AI Security
If you’re thinking about building or enhancing a startup in AI security, remember a few key principles. First, collaboration with established players can fast-track growth and acceptance. Mirror’s partnership with Intel is a perfect example, giving a startup immediate credibility alongside resources for scaling.
Second, solve for scalability early on. Technologies like FHE are computationally expensive, so designing with efficiency and hardware optimization in mind can be a game-changer. Build solutions that work for enterprises with thousands of daily operations, not just for theoretical use cases.
Third, listen to your customers’ compliance concerns. Every organization wants secure AI, but they don’t want penalties for failing to meet privacy guidelines. Build compliance into the system, not as an afterthought.
What Happened Next
The success of Mirror Security shows that cybersecurity in AI is a viable and urgent sector, one other startups should reconsider if they haven’t already explored it. As someone managing my own AI-based projects, I’ve started incorporating secure benchmarks not only as optional extras but as essential foundations when pitching to enterprise customers. Because the truth is, if sensitive data isn’t safe, nothing else matters.
Keep an eye on Mirror Security’s expansion plans; they aim to set the standard. If they succeed, this could open a multitude of opportunities for startups working with adjacent technologies like secure hardware or quantum-safe cryptography.
Would you invest in a startup focused on secure AI? I'd say now is the perfect time to place that bet. After all, the future of innovation depends less on what we can build, and more on how safely we can deploy it.
FAQ
1. What is Mirror Security, and what makes it unique?
Mirror Security is a cybersecurity startup spun out of University College Dublin, specializing in cryptographic trust for AI systems. Their proprietary Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) platform, VectaX, enables data processing without ever decrypting sensitive information. Discover Mirror Security
2. How much funding has Mirror Security raised, and who were the investors?
Mirror Security raised €2.1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Sure Valley Ventures and Atlantic Bridge, with additional support from angel investors. Learn about their funding journey
3. What is Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) and its significance for AI?
FHE allows data to be processed in encrypted form without requiring decryption, ensuring maximum data confidentiality during AI training and inference, especially for sensitive information. Explore Fully Homomorphic Encryption
4. Which sectors benefit the most from Mirror Security's technology?
Industries such as finance, healthcare, and government benefit greatly from Mirror Security’s solutions, offering secure handling of sensitive data and compliance with regulations. Discover the impact on enterprise markets
5. Why did Mirror Security partner with Intel?
The partnership with Intel provides access to advanced hardware optimized for AI encryption workloads and offers strategic opportunities for global scaling. Learn more about Intel’s role
6. How does Mirror Security’s solution enhance AI data security?
Their platform includes VectaX for encrypted AI processing and DiscoveR, an AI security assessment tool that continuously stress-tests systems to ensure confidentiality. Discover Mirror Security’s solution
7. What are the global plans for Mirror Security’s expansion?
With funding support, Mirror Security is planning market expansion in Ireland, the U.S., and India, targeting enterprises with strong regulatory compliance needs. Explore their expansion strategy
8. Who are Mirror Security’s competitors in cryptographic AI security?
Competitors include Zama (France), which focuses on FHE for blockchain systems, and Zaiffer, which specializes in confidential-token protocols for DeFi. Discover Zama’s solutions | Explore Zaiffer’s approach
9. What challenges does Mirror Security address for enterprises?
Mirror Security addresses data confidentiality issues that prevent organizations from fully adopting AI technologies and ensures compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. Learn more about enterprise challenges
10. What does the future hold for cryptographic AI security?
European startups are actively investing in cryptography-focused innovations, with more than €60 million invested in privacy-preserving technologies in 2025 alone. Explore the European ecosystem
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.